Foreign varsities get independent access to India

October 3, 2013September 27, 2013Canada India Education Council (CIEC)

Source: Live Mint and the Wall Street Journal

Foreign universities can now set up campuses and offer degrees in India without having a local partner.

Columbia university_article — Currently, a foreign university needs to join hands with a local education provider to offer courses in India and the degrees are not considered foreign degrees. Photo: Bloomberg

New Delhi: The government has decided to allow foreign universities to operate independently in India, set up campuses and offer degrees without having a local partner—a move that finally opens the gates for foreign educational institutions seeking to establish a presence in the country.

To foreign universities, the move presents an opportunity to tap a country with a population of 1.2 billion. To Indians (at least those who can afford it), it is an opportunity to receive quality education without leaving India (and without paying in dollars). And to India, it could mean significant foreign direct investment.

The department of industrial policy and promotion (DIPP) and the department of economic affairs (DEA) have agreed to allow overseas universities to operate as so-called Section 25 or non-profit companies under the newly passed Companies Act, the human resource development (HRD) ministry said on Tuesday.

Companies registered under Section 25 of India’s Companies Act cannot distribute profit or dividends to members, which means that the foreign universities cannot repatriate money—a constraint that was criticised by at least one expert.

Several foreign universities have been keen to enter India to tap a higher educational market that is worth Rs.46,200 crore and expanding by 18% every year, according to 40 million by 2020, a report from audit and consulting firm EY. They have been constrained by the need to do so through partnerships.

The Foreign Education Providers’ Bill is still awaiting parliamentary approval. Tuesday’s announcement, which is effectively an executive order, doesn’t need to be approved by Parliament and could see a rush of foreign universities to enter India.

“The ministry had sought comments and observations of the department of industrial policy and promotion and the department of economic affairs on the rules. Both DIPP and DEA have supported the proposal,” the HRD ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

Ministry officials said that the details are being vetted by the law ministry and an official notification will be published soon.

With the powers vested in it through the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act, the ministry will allow foreign universities to set up campuses in India and award foreign degrees. Currently, a foreign university needs to join hands with a local education provider to offer courses and the degrees are not considered foreign degrees.

Under the proposed rules, foreign universities can set up campuses in India once they have been notified as ‘foreign education provider’ by UGC. An educational institution wishing to operate in India needs to be in the top 400 in one of three global rankings: the UK-based Times Higher Education Ranking; Quacquarelli Symonds ranking published in UK again; and the China-based Shanghai Jiao Tong University rankings.

An HRD ministry official said that at least 20 foreign universities—mostly from US, followed by Australia and Canada—have expressed their desire to enter the market.

“Universities such as Duke University, California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and VirginiaTech are some of the names that have shown interest,” said the official, who asked not to be identified.

Mint could not independently verify this. In September 2012, the University of Chicago Booth School of Business’ deputy dean Robert H. Gertner told Mint that the school was exploring opportunities to open an executive education centre in India.

The degrees awarded by foreign universities in India will be considered foreign degrees and students holding these degrees need to get an equivalence certificate from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), the HRD ministry said in its statement. These universities will also function under the UGC rules.

The profit motive

A foreign university cannot repatriate money that it makes in India. And any university seeking entry to India must be accredited by bodies in its home country. “Quality control is key and we will build the safeguard mechanism with each of the universities,” a second official in the HRD ministry said.

An expert was critical of these provisions. “On the one hand you are saying, we want top 400 institutes to come and on the other, you are not allowing them to repatriate surplus to the home campus. It’s a fundamental problem. I think there is still an inherent trust deficit between the government and the (foreign) educational institutes,” said Pramath Sinha, founding dean of the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad.

“They have to stop questioning everybody, at least the best of the institutes. This problem was there in the Bill and if they are retaining it in the executive order, it will be a huge drag,” added Sinha, who is setting up a liberal arts university, India’s first, in Haryana.

The two HRD ministry officials said enough changes have been made to make it attractive for foreign universities to enter India. The India campus will function as a branch campus of the parent, rather than as an independent campus. The universities will offer the same degree they are offering in their parent campus. And the ministry has reduced the deposit universities have to maintain with the ministry (and which they will forfeit in case of any violation) from Rs.50 crore to Rs.25 crore.

To be sure, it will not be easy for foreign universities to acquire land, especially in the context of India’s new land acquisition law. “We will not facilitate the university in getting land at a concession. Anyway, procuring land and other infrastructural facilities in India will be way cheaper than in developed countries,” said the first ministry official.

He added that there were still three things that would attract foreign universities to India: a huge education market and the young demography to grow that further; lower recruitment and research costs; and the opportunity to offer executive education programmes and consulting services to Indian companies.

The second official grandiosely described the ministry’s move as “liberalizing the higher education space the way India economy was liberalized between 1991 and 1993”.

Manish Sabharwal, the chief executive of staffing and training company TeamLease Services Pvt. Ltd, said that India remains an attractive destination for education. In many countries there are two problems, he added—demography and cost—but in India both the issues are in the right place. The problem, he said, is in the details.

Anton Muscatelli, vice-chancellor of the UK-based University of Glasgow, too stressed the importance of details. The Indian government’s willingness to allow universities to come into India should certainly boost the entry of foreign universities, but the details will be important, he said. His own university, he added, has several partnerships in India and will continue to work with strong Indian partners.

Once it is notified, the ministry’s order will render irrelevant the Foreign Educational Institutions (Regulation of Entry and Operations) Bill 2010, a brainchild of former HRD minister Kapil Sibal, who is currently in charge of the telecom and law ministries.

UGC notifies rules for collaboration between Indian, foreign institutes

October 2, 2013September 27, 2013Canada India Education Council (CIEC)

Source: The Times of India

NEW DELHI: As top grade foreign educational institutions have shown little or no interest in setting up campuses in India, University Grants Commission on Wednesday notified a set of regulations that will allow Indian institutes with grade B accreditation to enter into collaboration with foreign educational institutions.

Incidentally, the notification was published on the day the PM left for the US to attend the UN general assembly. UGC’s notification was necessitated as more and more Indian institutes with B grade accreditation have started collaboration with foreign educational institutions. “The idea is to regulate such arrangements to protect the interest of students. We would not allow dilution of standards,” a UGC official said.

Foreign institutions who enter into partnerships should be accredited with the highest grade in their homeland, the UGC notification said. “At the time of agreement for collaboration, Indian educational institution shall have accreditation by National Assessment and Accreditation Council with a grade not less than B or its equivalent grade,” the notification said.

Indian educational institutions already having a collaborative arrangement shall comply with these regulations within a period of six months, the notification said. Foreign educational institutions will have to abide by the conditions prescribed by the Indian government from time to time.

Besides, the Indian institutes collaborating with foreign institutes shall have experience of at least five years offering educational programmes at the level of degree and post-graduate diplomas. Violation of rules could lead to termination of the MoU entered into for collaboration and even blacklisting, the notification said.

The regulations are called the UGC (Promotion and Maintenance of Standards of Academic Collaborations between Indian and Foreign Educational Institutes) Regulations, 2012 .

Technical institutes will not come under the purview of the regulations while government institutes shall be exempted from accreditation for the purpose of these regulations. Currently, around 50 foreign institutes are operating in India through twinning arrangement. Twinning programmes not only promise an international degree but also exposure to foreign campuses.

All institutes (Indian and foreign) involved in collaborations shall make public the academic requirements and other details of the programme on websites before commencement of the programme by Indian educational institutes concerned. No programme and research shall be offered which is against national security.

Govt unveils norms for foreign institutes eyeing India campuses

October 1, 2013September 27, 2013Canada India Education Council (CIEC)

Source: The Times of India

NEW DELHI: Foreign Education Providers (FEPs) interested in setting up campuses in India would have to run them as a not-for-profit legal entity. Therefore, they would have to first form a company under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956. Companies Under section 25 are non-profit entities.

More than two months after the TOI reported finalization of UGC rules for establishment of campus of foreign universities/educational institutions in India, the HRD ministry made the rules public on Tuesday.

The degrees awarded by FEPs would be treated as foreign degrees only and the same shall be subject to the equivalence accorded by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) as per their system.

FEPs before being notified would have to maintain a corpus of not less than Rs 25 crore for each campus they propose to establish. Each provider would be allowed maximum of four campuses. Out of the income received from the corpus fund, FEPs would not be allowed to utilize not more than 75% income for the purpose of development. The rest of the income would have be deposited in the corpus fund. FEPs would also not be allowed to invest surplus revenue for any purpose other than for the growth and development of the educational institutions.

FEPs would not be allowed to offer any course that adversely affects the sovereignty and integrity of India or its friendly relations with other countries. Only FEPs who are placed in the top 400 institutions as per the world university rankings by Times Higher Education or World University Rankings by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) or Academic Ranking of World Universities by Shanghai Jiao Tong University will only be allowed to operate. FEPs that have been in the field of education for more than 20 years in the parent country and are accreditated there would be allowed to set up campus in India.

Application of FEPs would have to be endorsed by the embassy or high commission in India of the country in which the institution is established. FEPs would have to mandatorily publish prospectus with details of courses, fee and other charges as well as money to be refunded.

UGC rules also has provision for penalty if an institution that is not FEP, has not been recognized or whose recognition has been withdrawn offers admission in violation of the provisions or publishes or releases misleading advertisement. The minimum penalty would be Rs 50 lakh extendable to Rs 1 crore.

Indian universities fail to make world’s top 200

September 30, 2013September 27, 2013Canada India Education Council (CIEC)

Source: NDTV

London: US-based Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University today topped an authoritative list of the world’s top 200 university rankings that did not figure any educational institutions from India.

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, the country’s premier institution, comes in way down at No 222, dropping from 212 last year, in the ‘QS World University Rankings’ released today.

The list is dominated with US universities, with MIT grabbing the top slot and Harvard at No 2, pushing Britain’s Cambridge University to No 3.

As part of one of its most comprehensive global reviews, the 800-strong annual ranking includes 11 Indian institutions in all with the IITs leading the charge – IIT Bombay at 233, IIT Kanpur at 295, IIT Madras at 313 and IIT Kharagpur at 346.

“The stable performance of Indian institutions is a reflection on the country’s efforts to internationalise its higher education system. However, it’s clear that more efforts are needed in the area if the country’s institutions wish to feature more prominently at the top of global rankings,” said Ben Sowter, head of research at QS, a British firm specialising in education and study abroad.

“In a country where education is prized above all matters and competition for a coveted place at one of the country’s top institutions is high, students need a broader comparison of domestic universities. QS is currently working closely with Indian institutions in a pilot ranking project for the ‘BRICS’ nations, which is due to be launched later this year,” Sowter added.

The annual rankings take into account the subject range, research results and academic reputation offered by 3,000 institutions internationally.

In the list of the top 50 universities in Asia, IIT Delhi and IIT Bombay come in at 38 and 39 followed by IIT Kanpur at 51 and IIT Roorkee at 66.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology tops the Asian rankings followed by a number of Chinese, Japanese and Korean institutions.

Will the foreign universities come to India?

September 29, 2013September 27, 2013Canada India Education Council (CIEC)

Source: The Times of India

The delay in enacting the Foreign Universities bill has cost India dear. When it was mooted a few years ago, India was riding high on the growth curve. Markets were bouyant, and the size of the population made it an interesting place to invest. Wherever one went, the term ‘demographic dividend’ boomed through the loudspeakers. These were the youth who were trained in English, who had access to engineering degrees (others too, but engineering made the headlines) and would transform the nation. India was the leading light of the BRICS which were still the next big thing. All of this was very exciting to the education world – the demographics alone were enough – the millions who needed higher education before the dividends could be reaped – were a market.

It is not so now. The India story has paled, the market seems to have stalled. The demographic dividend is still expected if we manage to educate our young. But there are questions about viable models in higher education given the experience of the past few years. The executive order to allow foreign providers via their own campuses is welcome. Even if it comes late. The question is – will there be enough quality foreign universities who would want to open campuses in India? Now?

A few years ago, just as the bill was mooted, foreign universities were at the peak of their global aspirations. There was a buzz around campuses across the world as a transnational model of higher education was set to evolve. This was the era before MOOCs of course. But there were funds allocated and Delhi (and the states of course) jostled with Singapore and Dubai as a destination for campuses. Now, the experience of the Ivy league colleges in these campuses has taught them caution. Most of the funds have been allocated, others will proceed with caution based on their learnings. Delhi has missed the boat with many desirable providers of higher education.

Even if they do come to India, certain fundamental problems remain. Infrastructure. Especially soft infrastructure. Across the board the paucity of good faculty is acknowledged. Credentialing is no guarantee of quality. Nor is the number of research papers they have churned out. Credit and competence are not linked. Finding a good teacher and a good researcher from within the country is a an uphill task. Finding one from outside the country is even more difficult. It is not just the pay that is inadequate. There is no reason for anyone to take a paycut to come to India – there is little that Indian universities can offer to compensate for the paycuts. On the contrary, they need incentives to disrupt their families and the steady track of their their lives. Yes, personal living conditions count for a lot in most places in the world and moving in to cities with potholes in roads that need you to walk through garbage piles to reach ordinary shops is clearly not an incentive to disrupt lives. Will the best faculty want to move here given the current conditions? Let us think.

Another hurdle is the quality of research, laboratories and of course funding. The best faculty are those that can move a department out of mediocrity or build something new. There are very few of them who have these qualities but do not already have access to the best research and funding. It may be possible to woo the young bright sparks who show promise with new funding and equipment that the foreign investors will certainly bring. This is the only window of hope – a fast track for the bright young professors. The new order has been promulgated under the University Grants Commission. As details are awaited, the first question that arises is: Will the faculty recompense be constrained by UGC rules? Presidency University was just reported to have had some problems with paying their faculty. They were constrained by the rules and had to find workarounds to retain people. While a small proportion of PU faculty, it is clear that the issue exists and is at the heart of the debate on new universities, and that includes the foreign universities.

While the older bill languished, the executive order hoped to mitigate the damage done by the delay. Even as smaller and keener players teamed up with Indian partners to provide joint degrees (that were often not accepted by the Indian establishment), the older Ivy league colleges melted away. They were fine with limited collaborations with departments that clearly delineated their contribution and benefits. To be an entire university campus is a much larger investment. And as investors, despite the doors opening again, the repatriation of profits is still not allowed. Nor is the investment expected a small one.

It is clear that India wants to invite the best and wants them to commit to their investment in the country. This is a very good thing to want, but it may still be rather ambitious. The will has been shown, and the path paved via this new regulation. As we await details, as do the legal departments of interested foreign universities, the real question that needs to be asked is: Will India pass the due diligence tests of the global majors in higher education?

UBC Vantage College: AdVantage Students

September 28, 2013September 27, 2013Canada India Education Council (CIEC)

Source: The Times of India

The University of British Columbia on its Vancouver campus has launched a college for first-year international students from countries with school systems that are significantly different from Canada’s . James Ridge, principal, and Susanne Schmiesing, director, business development & operations, UBC Vantage College, talk to Tirna Ray

Why was the need felt to establish the UBC Vantage College?

In response to a rapidly changing demographic and economic global landscape, and the unprecedented world-wide demand for higher education, the University of British Columbia (UBC) established UBC Vantage College on its Vancouver campus to offer programmes that broaden the capacity of the university to attract international students . While UBC currently welcomes international students to study at the university , the International Programme is fundamentally different in that it reaches out to students who need additional time and instruction to qualify for direct admission to UBC. As such, our college is developing pedagogical , administrative and technological initiatives, which will also provide us with opportunities to examine our curriculum and pedagogy to better understand how students, international and domestic alike, learn.

Who is it for?

The International Programme provides international students graduating from a senior secondary school who would not be directly admissible to a UBC direct-entry undergraduate degree programme , with the opportunity to enter a first-year equivalent programme that will prepare them for study at Year 2 of a UBC degree. The programme has been designed for international secondary school students who demonstrate a strong potential to succeed in university, but who may benefit from smaller class sizes and additional academic and social supports. Students will form a cohort within the programme ranging in length from 12 to 16 months (depending upon the applicant’s proficiency in the English language and level of academic preparation) that includes academic language preparation, additional academic support and the completion of first-year coursework . Upon successful completion , students will have a minimum of 24 credits of first-year coursework applicable to a degree programme and may progress into the second year of study towards a UBC Bachelor degree (specifically, a Bachelor of Arts and/or Bachelor of Science degree in 2015-16 with further degree options being offered in subsequent years).

How is Vantage College different?

Students enrolled will complete a 12-month programme that includes English-language and academic study, and if successful, will advance to the second year of a UBC degree course. Students will live on campus in student residences along with students from other UG programmes.

What are the eligibility criteria?

Students may apply to UBC Vantage College if they are an international student (not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident); are graduating from an academic or university preparatory programme at a recognised senior secondary school. English language requirements include a minimum score of 70 on the TOEFL iBT with no section less than 16 or a minimum overall score of 5.5 on the IELTS with a minimum band score of 5.0 in speaking and listening, and 5.5 in reading and writing.

What is the cost factor?

The tuition fee for our 12-month programme is $30,000 Canadian plus housing and food. For exceptional applicants with financial need, the college will also offer substantial scholarships including some scholarships that will cover the full cost of tuition, housing and food. www.vantagecollege.ubc.ca

Courtesy: Educationtimes.com

Imagine Canada

September 27, 2013September 27, 2013Canada India Education Council (CIEC)

Source: The TImes of India

During a tour of three provinces in Canada, Malini Sen discovers that the flexibility in the country’s higher education system and the focus on employability are prompting students from India to choose Canada as a study destination.

Every student’s reason to go abroad to study differs. Though reasons may vary, a common aspect of studying abroad is that it transforms lives. Tightening of visa rules in the UK, lesser job opportunities in the US and safety concerns in Australia are factors that have contributed towards making Canada a popular destination for students from India.

India continues to be the number two source country for international students with over 13,000 students choosing Canada as a study destination in 2012 as compared to 2,658 in 2007. Figures for 2013 are not yet available.

“Canada provides a positive alternative for students from India because of its ethnic diversity, ability to integrate the best of both British and American university educational models and the quality of its diversified public post-secondary institutions,” says Allan Cahoon, president and vice-chancellor, Royal Roads University in Victoria, British Columbia.

Higher education in Canada is a provincial responsibility and it comprises two types of institutions — universities and colleges — which offer degree programmes. Community colleges offer degrees in a range of disciplines, but are known for industry-specific courses, which offer applied degrees, diplomas and certificates. Polytechnics and polytechnic universities are another option, which offers a combination of degrees and diplomas in the technical field. Colleges and polytechnics are largely aligned to the needs of the labour market. Canada is recognised for a competency-based teaching approach that prepares students to be productive in the workplace after graduation. Several Canadian colleges and universities offer co-op or internship programmes or work placement programmes as a means of enhancing the curriculum with real-world industry experience.

One of the distinguishing characteristics of Canadian education is the cooperative model, known as co-op, that lets a student alternate terms in class with paid terms at work in jobs related to his/her area of study.

“Co-op programmes allow students to gain valuable experience in their fields, develop skills in the workplace, and expand their Canadian network. The co-op model was pioneered in schools such as University of Waterloo and has become the gold standard around the country for programmes, which prepare students for the real world. As well, money earned during these co-op programmes helps towards covering costs. With a foothold in the working world during the course of their studies, when the student graduates, they are more familiar with the expectations of employers, and more job-ready,” says Ivy Lerner-Frank, first secretary for Education at the High Commission of Canada. She adds, “The return on investment is not only the benefit of the education itself, but the possibility of employment during the study period, after graduation with a postgraduation work permit, and then the potential to immigrate through the Canadian Experience Class if you have the right skills.”

The flexibility in the system accommodates students’ different needs and aspirations. “I am from a village in India and when I decided to go abroad to study, I felt I would be more comfortable in a smaller town than a big city. Therefore, I chose Okanagan College in Kelowna. The college has a diploma programme in computer information systems, which suited my academic needs,” says Leo Louis. The programme offered a co-op option and Leo interned at the Disney Studio in Kelowna as a software engineer. “I interned for a year and found a part-time job till the end of my studies, it helped me to cover my expenses.” The programme was for two and a half years including the co-op term and Leo on completing his studies in April 2013, found a job.

Traditionally, the MTV towns, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver, were popular with students from India, but in the last few years, students have been opting for institutions in other parts as well. “Canadians have the reputation of being peaceful and welcoming. The country has all the advantages of a developed nation whilst maintaining a low crime rate and less congestion. Compared to other top ranked universities in Canada, University of Saskatchewan has affordable fees and the cost of living in the city is feasible. I live in university residence; I have met students from across the world and it is very safe,” says Sherin McDonald, BSc (double honours) programme, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon.

Internships and collaborative research have also become an integral part of international education. Canada launched the Mitacs Globalink internship programme in 2009 to encourage student mobility. While in 2012 a research network, India-Canada Centre for Innovative Multidisciplinary Partnerships to Accelerate Community Transformation and Sustainability (ICIMPACTS), was launched to find solutions to community problems.

Application tips
Step 1

Prepare the supporting documents for your application Note:

Documents which are in a language other than English or French must be translated. Ensure that you provide all required documents, including: Letter of acceptance from the Canadian institution Valid passport Financial documents as requested in the application kit, including six months of banking history IELTS test results taken within the last 24 months are strongly recommended as proof of English language proficiency CAQ (if you plan to study in Quebec) – Quebec Acceptance Certificate

Step 2

Complete the study permit application:

The form can be obtained on the website of the VFS Visa Application Center (see www.vfs-canada .co.in). Follow the instructions carefully, complete all forms, and submit all required documents You do not need someone to assist you with the application.All applications are treated equally, regardless of who submitted them. However, if you engage the services of an agent or a friend, you as the applicant are responsible for the truthfulness of all information submitted

Step 3

Submit your application as soon as possible:

The ideal time is between two and four months before the start of the course. Submit your application at any VFS Visa Application Center. Pay the processing fee and refer to checklist to ensure that your application is complete

Step 4

Your application will be reviewed:

If the visa officer is satisfied with your application and if your course of study is longer than six months, you will be asked to undergo a medical exam. Once the medical examination has been reviewed, a final decision will be made on your case

Useful urls

High Commission of Canada: www.india.gc.ca

Study in Canada: www.educationau-incanada .ca

Scholarships: www.scholarships.gc.ca

Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada: www.aucc.ca

Association of Canadian Community Colleges: www.accc.ca

India Canada Alumni Network: www.ican.net.in

Courtesy: Educationtimes.com

Synergy 2013 Education Conference

February 18, 2013March 29, 2016Canada India Education Council (CIEC)

Post-Event Report

October 3 & 4, 2013

Hilton Garden Inn (Toronto Airport West) • 1870 Matheson Blvd • Mississauga, ON • L4W 0B3

On October 3 & 4, Canada India Education Council (CIEC) was the proud host of ‘Canada-India: Synergy in Education’ Conference 2013 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Toronto. Participants exchanged ideas & experiences, explored opportunities, highlighted their programs and networked with stakeholders active in both markets, resulting in many valuable connections.

‘Conferences, such as this one, are crucial to Canada-India relations, because they allow for growth and promoting knowledge between the two countries… I wish the 7th Annual Canada-India Synergy in Education Conference much success and hope all participants will thoroughly enjoy and enlighten themselves at this event.‘

– Hon. Deepak Obhrai, P.C., M.P., Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and for International Human Rights

To view Synergy 2013 Presentations, click here. To view Synergy 2013 Photos, click here.

Key points & highlights

Need for a strategy for promoting overlooked sectors of education within the Canadian education system to international students, which include career colleges / skilled trades & technical education
Patterns and sources of student growth & prospects and challenges of increased activity in the Indian education sector
Reenergized National strategy for promoting ‘Brand Canada’ overseas & opportunities for involvement

This year, CIEC introduced the ‘brainstorming’ session called ‘A Suggestion or Two’ that captured what key players such as academics, government & education agents want to see done to further optimize educational ties between Canada and India. Some of the ideas suggested include:

Importance of keeping sight of international students’ needs both before and after they reach Canada
The critical value the Synergy Conference brings to all stakeholders and need to reach a wider audience as the Synergy / CIEC brand grows
NACC engaged in groundbreaking work and Career colleges must offer incentives to international students to overcome an unfavorable perception created by UK and Australian career colleges
Academic institutions’ need for ethical education agents and iCARE’s (CIEC’s Agent Membership Category) growing & much-lauded role in meeting this demand through our unique agent peer-review screening system where agents are graded in key areas by Canadian college and University references

Session summary

CIEC Chair Hon. Pierre S. Pettigrew’s opening address stressed the need for educational ties as a valuable bridge between nations, even in matters of national security, their usefulness in the promotion of ideas and national growth, as well as the effects of globalization and a shrinking middle class in a changing world. Prof. Balbir Sahni from Concordia University followed with his Inaugural Address: ‘Sustainability of India–Focused Academic Linkages: Prospects and Challenges’ – a look at the path ahead in terms of gauging the true value of and optimizing MoUs while increasing student pull. Hon. Akhilesh Mishra, Consul General of India-Toronto discussed the critical role education plays in bridging the gap between Canada and India while Prof. Margaret Walton-Roberts from Wilfrid Laurier University presented Synergy attendees with a much-lauded session on the intersection of immigration & education in the Canada-India corridor, after which Synergy attendees enjoyed an Indian buffet lunch / networking session.

Rachel Lindsey, Senior Policy Analyst Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada reflected on AUCC’s ‘India strategy’ and Husain Neemuchwala, CEO of CIEC provided an update on CIEC upcoming activities which include our India ‘Mission 2014’ and the tremendous success of our iCARE (agent membership & screening process) initiative. Paul Bailey, Deputy Director, Edu-Canada, Foreign Affairs & Trade Development (DFATD) provided an update from Edu-Canada on their efforts in the promotion of Canada as a study destination. Dr. Shanthi Johnson, President, Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute followed with the session ‘The road ahead: Challenges & Opportunities in the Canada-India education corridor,’ and Synergy attendees shared a laugh during the popular, interactive ‘Speed Dating’ session that offered them a change to introduce themselves & what they would like to achieve (partnerships, joint programming…).

Synergy 2013 participants enjoyed traditional Indian dessert during a short networking break and returned to hear Dr. Nemkumar (Nemy) Banthia, Univ. of British Columbia provide an overview of the new Canada-India Research Centre of Excellence announced by Hon. PM Stephen Harper in Nov 2012 called IC-IMPACTS. Devinder Shory, MP & Co-Chair, Canada-India Parliamentary Association concluded Day 1 of the Conference by raising a toast to its continued success.

On Day 2 Career Colleges Canada’s informative session discussed NACC’s role in raising the bar for career colleges and filling the skilled trade shortage. As part of their new focus on international students, they discussed the work they are doing working with the Canadian government on areas of student visas, work permits, and possible immigration as well as the new ISP program and its groundbreaking inclusion of career colleges. Kam Rathee, Vice Chair, CIEC interjected with an observation that while immigration is important to students, India’s lack of quality institutions will always be the driving force behind international students’ seeking education abroad. For this reason Canada’s primary focus must remain on providing world-class education. Patrick Brown, MP & Co-Chair, Canada-India Parliamentary Association followed with a quick update on the Government’s ‘Internationalization’ plans & the ‘Education Consortium’. Brad Butt, MP for Streetsville, Mississauga stopped by to provide greetings from Ottawa as he did last year and called the Conference to a close. He thanked the work undertaken by Husain and the entire CIEC team and offered the support of his office, either locally or in Ottawa.=

CIEC thanks our esteemed presenters and all participants for making this year’s event yet another tremendous success with a special acknowledgement to Sophiya Consultants and Study Plus Consultants and Education Services, CIEC’s newest agent members, for contributing their voices to the discussion and coming from India to collect their iCARE certificates.

We look forward to seeing you at Synergy 2014!

October 3

9:30 - 10:00 a.m.	REGISTRATION & NETWORKING (COFFEE/COOKIES)
10:00 - 10:20 a.m.	Opening address by Hon. Pierre S. Pettigrew, PC, Chair, CIEC
10:20 - 10-:30 a.m.	Synergy 2013 overview by Husain F. Neemuchwala, CEO & Executive Director, CIEC
10:30 - 11:15 a.m.	Inaugural Address: Sustainability of India–Focused Academic Linkages: Prospects and Challenges’ by Prof. Balbir Sahni, Professor Emeritus-Economics, Concordia University
11:15 - 11:30 a.m.	NETWORKING BREAK I
11:30 - 11:45 a.m.	‘KEYNOTE ADDRESS’ by Hon. Akhilesh Mishra, Consul General of India-Toronto
11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.	SESSION II: ‘Exchange of ideas’ with a contextual reference to the intersection of immigration & education in the Canada-India corridor by Prof. Margaret Walton-Roberts, Wilfrid Laurier University
12:45 - 1:30 p.m.	WORKING ‘INDIAN BUFFET’ LUNCH
1:30 - 2:00 p.m.	SESSION III: Reflections on AUCC’s ‘India strategy’ and updates from Rachel Lindsey, Senior Policy Analyst Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC)
2:00 - 2:10 p.m.	IV: Update on iCARE (Indian Canadian Academic Advisors Representing Excellence)-CIEC’s agent ‘membership’. Announcing CIEC’s webinar series, India ‘Mission 2014’ and announcements of CIEC’s members’ events and activities
2:10 - 2:45 p.m.	SESSION V: Updates on from Edu-Canada on promotion of Canada as a study destination by Paul Bailey, Deputy Director, Edu-Canada, Foreign Affairs & Trade Development (DFATD)
2:45 - 3:30 p.m.	SESSION VI: The road ahead: Challenges & Opportunities in the Canada-India education corridor by Dr. Shanthi Johnson, President, Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute
3:30 - 3:50 p.m.	SPEED DATING: 1 minute self introductions of attendees & what they would like to achieve (recruiting, partnerships, joint programming...) Interactive session with the audience & an opportunity to learn from and about each other.
3:50 - 4:20 p.m.	DESSERT & NETWORKING BREAK
4:20 - 5:00 p.m.	SESSION VII: Making ‘IMPACTS’: An overview by Dr. Nemkumar (Nemy) Banthia, Univ. of British Columbia of the new Canada-India Research Centre of Excellence announced by Hon. PM Stephen Harper in Nov 2012
5:00 - 6:30 p.m.	COCKTAIL RECEPTION (1 drink incl.) Toast by Devinder Shory, MP & Co-Chair, Canada-India Parliamentary Association

October 4

9:30 - 10:00 a.m.	NETWORKING (COFFEE/COOKIES)
10:00 - 10:10 a.m.	Welcome back remarks by Husain F. Neemuchwala, CEO & Executive Director, CIEC
10:10 - 11:30 a.m.	SESSION VIII: Career Colleges Canada: Examining their role, the pending legislative changes & their place in ‘Internationalization’ initiatives by National Association of Career Colleges (NACC)
11:30 - 12:30 p.m.	WORKING LUNCH. Update on the Government’s ‘Internationalization’ plans & the ‘Education Consortium’ by Brad Butt, MP & Patrick Brown, MP & Co-Chair, Canada-India Parliamentary Association
12:30 - 12:45 p.m.	VOTE of THANKS by Hon Kam Rathee, Vice-Chair, CIEC

CIEC has negotiated a special rate for delegates staying at the Hilton Garden Inn hotel, which will also provide complimentary airport transfers. To take advantage of the discounted hotel rate, reserve your room by clicking here.

For delegates arriving from India, CIEC is pleased to provide a 1 night FREE stay at the Hilton Garden Inn.

If you wish to attend this year’s much-lauded event, please register online today.

The theme of the 2013 ‘Synergy’ Conference is an “exchange of ideas” to further the interests of those already involved or contemplating involvement in the dynamic Canada-India education corridor.

Submit Your Proposal

Benefits of Sponsorship

Synergy Sponsorship is $2500 for the following benefits:

2 event registrations (Value ~$800)
1 VIP seat at lunch table
Logo on menu, agenda and screen (when not in use)
Recognition from the podium
Distribution of 1 piece of collateral/article or souvenir with event kit

Please contact CIEC for more information.

Payment Options:

Pay by Wire (Favour of: TD Canada Trust; SWIFT Code: TDOMCATTTOR; Branch/Transit: 15942; Bank/Institution: 004; Account: 15945220107)
Pay by cheque/bank draft/money order (Payable to: Canada India Education Council; Mailed to: First Canadian Place, 100 King Street West, 5700, Toronto, ON Canada M5X 1C7)

Please refer to the following information and useful links regarding entering Canada & obtaining a VISA – Courtesy of Citizenship and Immigration Canada:

Participants will need a valid passport or an appropriate travel document to enter Canada.

Citizens of the United States

US citizens should visit the Department of Homeland Security website for a list of acceptable documents to re-enter the US.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.asp

Information on visiting Canada:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/index.asp

Do you need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to visit Canada (see for list of countries):

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp

Visiting Canada – Important information for visa exempt travellers (including US Citizens):

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visa-exempt.asp

Where to send your application for a (TRV):

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/offices/apply-where.asp

Video Tutorial on completing the Temporary Resident Visa Application Form (IMM 5257)

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/multimedia/video/imm5257/imm5257.asp

Visa Offices outside of Canada:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/offices/missions.asp

Visa application processing times:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/temp/visitors.asp

* In order to avoid disappointments, applicants should submit their application as soon as possible.

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Key points & highlights

Session summary

October 3

October 4

PUBLIC NOTICE

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